Allan Ayer Corrin

ALLAN AYER CORRIN Allan Ayer Corrin was born to William Roger Corrin and Crystene Ayer Corrin on March 31, 1927. He was very proud of his Manx and Scottish heritages. He was the youngest of three brothers. He survived his oldest brother Roger; and is survived by his older brother Bill of Pleasanton, California. All three boys were born and grew up in Long Beach, California. He has many nieces and nephews. Allan attended his graduation from Long Beach Poly High School wearing his U.S. Navy uniform, having already enlisted in 1945. He served in the Naval Air Transport Service, stationed in Guam. When landing in the Philippines, his plane had priority over McArthur's. Allan graduated from Long Beach City College, majoring in engineering. He continued his education at University of California, Los Angeles, finishing at University of California, Berkeley in Ag Economics. While at Long Beach City, he met his future wife, Charlene Wood, who survives. They have been married for 56 years. Their daughter Deby was born in 1952. She is married to Mel Southwick and they live in Mukilteo, Washington. In 1969-70, the Corrins hosted Reedley High's exchange student, Barbara Waugh from Australia. The families have remained close. Barb is married and has three daughters, one of which lives near Modesto with her family. Allan began his career in the produce industry in 1950, as a "swamper" in the LA produce market for the Theron Hooker Company. He was soon working as a field man covering California, Arizona, and Mexico, with many types of fresh fruits and vegetables. During this time, the family lived in Chino, California. After working ten summers from an office in Reedley, he co-founded Hooker-Corrin Co. and built Reedley Fruit Storage in 1962. The family built their adobe home and moved to Reedley in 1964. In 1971, Allan created Corrin Produce Sales and built Corrin Cold Storage in 1973. Allan is most noted for marketing the Ruby Red Seedless Grape. Martha Stewart thought the Ruby Seedless Raisins to be the best, and she featured him on her program. He was also well known for the Lunch-Bunch and for the Black Corinth "grapes for champagne" and patented many varieties of peaches, plums, nectarines, and grapes. Allan developed and/or marketed tools of the trade too numerous to mention. He integrated farming methods from around the world. He also facilitated growing grapes in the southern hemisphere, in order to make them available year round. He was involved in many organizations, including the Fresno City/County, and Reedley Chambers of Commerce. He received the "Farmer of the Year" award in Reedley in 1975. Allan was a long-time member of the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association. At their convention in 1992, he received the "Produce Man for All Seasons" achievement award from the Packer. Allan was a life member of the California Grape and Tree Fruit League, a past president and, in March of 2005, received their top honor, the Mentor's Award. In recent years, Allan created C&C Nursery. He was working on new innovations such as frozen fruit-on-a-stick and dried fruit packaging for teams, especially the Fresno State Bulldogs. In his youth Allan spent much time at the beach, swimming, sailing, and body surfing. More recently he earned his SCUBA certification and thoroughly enjoyed visiting the underwater critters. In October of 2004, Allan was inducted into the Long Beach City College Hall of Fame. Because Allan felt that education was so important, he was very involved with programs at Reedley College and California State University, Fresno. Mr. Corrin died on Tuesday, May 8, 2007. A Memorial Celebration will be held at the Reedley College cafeteria on Saturday, May 19, 2007, at 2:30 p.m. Remembrances may be made to Reedley College/Corrin Family Scholarship Fund, 995 N. Reed Ave., Reedley, Ca 93654; Ag One Foundation, California State University, Fresno, 2901 E. Barstow Ave., MS OF 115, Fresno, Ca 93740; or Long Beach City College, 4901 E. Carson Ave., Long Beach, Ca 90808. CAIRNS FUNERAL HOME940 F Street, Reedley 638-2233